Hood has adapted Orson Scott Card's classic sci-fi novel and Butterfield will take on the lead role of Ender Wiggin, a prodigy who becomes part of mankind's war against an alien race known as the Formics.

Rising quickly through the ranks at the Battle School, Ender is revealed as a master tactician.

Hailee will play fellow school warrior Petra Arkanian, Breslin will take on the role of Ender's older sister Valentine and Kingsley is aboard to play Mazer Rackham, a legendary war hero many had thought was dead.

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci - who recently wrote the 'Star Trek' sequel - have signed on as producers and shooting is set to start in February.